And just like that, something inside shifted very subtly, so that all the empty spaces in him suddenly disappeared, so that his breath timed to hers, so that his blood sang. This is why there was music, he realized. There were some feelings that just didn’t have words big enough to describe them.

People change, but only if you give them room to do it.

Did you ever think that maybe what you see isn't really what's true?

There's no way to explain to a child that the line between good and evil isn't nearly as black and white as a fairy tale would lead you to believe. That an ordinary person can turn into a villain, under the right circumstances. That sometimes we dragon slayers do things we aren't proud of.

I don't want to make the same mistake twice. I don't want to tell myself it's over when it's not.

Even the most beautiful things can be toxic.

I think there are two different oceans - the one that plays with you in the summer, and the one that gets so mad in the winter.